Application of the WASP Model for Assessment of Aeration Impact on Water Quality of Porsuk River, Turkey

Abstract

Porsuk Stream is the longest branch of the Sakarya Basin which originates from Murat Mountain and bypasses the provinces of Kutahya and Eskisehir. Based on recent increasing pollution concentrations reported in the literature, the main river is experiencing problems with decreased water quality. In this study, hydrodynamics and water quality parameters are simulated in the Porsuk River via the application of the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) using the available flow and meteorological data. After the validation of the hydrodynamics along the main river, water quality parameters are simulated using the eutrophication module. Simulation of dissolved oxygen concentrations pointed out hypoxia, especially at two locations; Kutahya-Reservoir1 and Alpu-Guroluk segments where dissolved oxygen values stayed well below the standard limits throughout the year. As a mitigation option, aeration applications at these two stations are proposed and the effects of aeration on the simulated parameters of dissolved oxygen, phosphorus and nitrate concentrations are investigated. Aeration at two segments has significantly improved the dissolved oxygen concentrations (from ~3 mg/l to >14 mg/l) whereas it has a more subtle effect on nitrate and phosphorus concentrations.